Navigation system

ABSTRACT

A navigation system is provided with: a present position detecting device ( 16, 17, 18 ) for detecting a present position; and a navigation device ( 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 ) for performing a navigation in correspondence with the detected present position on the basis of map data. The navigation system is also provided with a menu controlling device ( 11, 25, 26 ) for controlling a menu display of the navigation by using menu information capable of being updated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a navigation system for carryingout a navigation operation by using map data, and more particularlyrelates to a navigation system which the user can operate in accordancewith a menu display having various functions of the navigation.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] There is a navigation system, which performs a navigation for acar by using map data. In such a navigation system, there are prepared aplenty of functions in relation to the navigation. Thus, a menu screenis displayed so that the user can easily select one of the functions.This kind of menu screen has a hierarchy data structure, which includesan initial main menu screen for displaying main functions, and a submenu screen for displaying additional functions of the main functions.The user operates the navigation system to select the function desiredto be executed while watching this kind of menu screen, so that acomfortable navigation can be executed.

[0005] In the above described navigation system, the data structure ofthe menu screen is set in advance in accordance with the usagefrequencies etc., of the respective functions. For example, a functionexpected to be frequently used is displayed as one of the selectableitems on the main menu, so that the user can select it.

[0006] However, the usage manner of each function on the navigationcannot be uniquely determined, but is variable depending upon the actualusage condition of the navigation, the taste of the user or the like.Thus, the given menu screen, which is set in advance, may not beconvenient for the user or may not be in line with the usage manner ofthe user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is proposed in view of the above mentionedproblems. It is therefore an object of the present invention to providea navigation system, which can update a menu screen for the navigationand can perform a navigation while displaying a menu screen suitable fora usage manner or condition of a user.

[0008] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by afirst navigation system provided with: a present position detectingdevice for detecting a present position; a navigation device forperforming a navigation in correspondence with the detected presentposition on the basis of map data; and a menu controlling device forcontrolling a menu display of the navigation by using menu informationcapable of being updated.

[0009] According to the first navigation system of the presentinvention, a menu using the menu information is displayed at the time ofthe navigation operation of the navigation system. When the user wantsto update the menu information, the user can customize the menuinformation by using the menu information which is constructed byhimself or herself fro example. Therefore, it is possible to perform themenu display suitable for the user's usage condition or manner of thenavigation, and it is possible to realize the navigation superior in theoperability.

[0010] In one aspect of the first navigation system of the presentinvention, the menu controlling device controls the menu display of thenavigation by using another menu information set and fixed in advance,in addition to the menu information capable of being updated.

[0011] According to this aspect, at the time of the navigationoperation, the menu display using the fixed menu information in additionto the menu information capable of being updated is performed. Thus,since the default menu information can be used, it is possible todisplay a simple menu display, which does not require any troublesometask for customizing, if it is not necessary to customize the menudisplay of the navigation.

[0012] In this aspect, the navigation system may be further providedwith a menu selection device adapted to select one of the menuinformation, which is set and fixed in advance, and the menu informationcapable of being updated, as the menu information to be used for themenu display.

[0013] By constructing in this manner, it is possible to selectivelyperform the menu display of either the menu information capable of beingupdated or the fixed menu information, by virtue of the menu selectiondevice, at the time of the navigation operation. Thus, the user canutilize the default menu information and the customized menu informationby flexibly switching those to each other, so that the operability andconvenience of the navigation can be even more improved.

[0014] Further in this case, the menu selection device may be adapted toselect one of a plurality of menu information each capable of beingupdated, as the menu information to be used for the menu display.

[0015] By constructing in this manner, since there are prepared aplurality of menu information capable of being updated in the menudisplay, it is possible to selectively menu-display one of them byvirtue of the menu selection device. Thus, the user can use the menuinformation optimum for the usage condition of the navigation, so thatthe operability and convenience of the navigation can be even moreimproved.

[0016] In another aspect of the first navigation system of the presentinvention, the navigation system is further provided with a readingdevice, to which an external record medium recorded with the menuinformation capable of being updated is set, for reading the menuinformation from the external record medium.

[0017] According to this aspect, at the time of navigation operation,the menu information recorded in the external record medium is read out,and the menu display is performed on the basis of the read out menuinformation. Thus, it is possible to expand the usage possibility of themenu information e.g., using the menu information constructed by theuser's personal computer.

[0018] In another aspect of the first navigation system of the presentinvention, the navigation system is further provided with a wirelesscommunication device for receiving the menu information capable of beingupdated from an external portion.

[0019] According to this aspect, at the time of the navigationoperation, the menu information is received from the external portion bythe wireless communication device such as a portable telephone, and themenu display is performed on the basis of the received menu information.Thus, the navigation system is quite suitable for the usage in a movablebody, and it is possible to expand the usage possibility of the menuinformation.

[0020] In this aspect, the menu information capable of being updated maybe reserved on an internet, and the wireless communication devicereceives the menu information capable of being updated by connecting tothe internet.

[0021] By constructing in this manner, at the time of the navigationoperation, the internet connection is achieved by the wirelesscommunication device, and the menu information capable of being updatedis downloaded to thereby perform the menu display on the basis of thedownloaded menu information. Thus, by preparing a plurality of menuinformation in advance on the internet, the user can easily obtain thevarious menu information.

[0022] In another aspect of the first navigation system of the presentinvention, the navigation system is further provided with an operationdevice adapted to issue an operation command of the navigation inaccordance with the menu display.

[0023] According to this aspect, when the menu for the navigation isdisplayed, by issuing the operation command by the operation device, itis possible to perform the function corresponding to the menu display.Thus, it is possible for the user to confirm the desirable function ofthe navigation on the menu display, and speedily perform it.

[0024] In this aspect, the navigation system may be further providedwith an operation history memory for storing an operation history of theoperation device, and the menu controlling device may control the menudisplay on the basis of the operation history.

[0025] By constructing in this manner, at the time of the navigationoperation, the operation history of the operation command issued by theoperation device is reserved, and then the menu display is controlled onthe basis of this operation history. Thus, the menu display can becontrolled with reflecting the user's usage tendency of the navigation,and thereby the navigation adaptable for various users and superior inthe operability can be realized.

[0026] Further in this case, the menu information may have such a datastructure that the operation command is assigned to respective one of aplurality of hierarchies of the menu display, and the menu controllingdevice may change an hierarchy of the operation command on the basis ofthe operation history.

[0027] By constructing in this manner, in the menu display at the timeof the navigation operation, the operation commands from a higherhierarchy to a lower hierarchy are constructed in a hierarchy manner,and the hierarchy of the operation commands is changed on the basis ofthe operation history. Thus, it is possible to control the hierarchystructure of the menu display with reflecting the tendency of the pastoperation commands, so that the navigation which is fine and superior inthe operability can be realized.

[0028] Furthermore in this case, the menu controlling device may judgethe number of times of operations for each operation command on thebasis of the operation history, may change the operation command forwhich the number of times of the operation is larger to a higherhierarchy and may change the operation command for which the number oftimes of the operation is smaller to a lower hierarchy.

[0029] By constructing in this manner, in the menu display at the timeof the navigation operation, the number of times of the operation at thetime when the operation command is issued is judged, and the operationcommand whose number of times of the operation is the larger is changedto the higher hierarchy of the menu display, while the operation commandwhose number of times of the operation is the smaller is changed to thelower hierarchy of the menu display. Thus, as the usage frequency of oneoperation command is the higher, this operation command can be moreeasily performed, so that the operability of the navigation can becertainly improved.

[0030] Furthermore in this case, the menu controlling device may set adisplay character string accompanying the menu display with respect toeach operation command, and may change the display character string whenchanging the operation command to the higher or lower hierarchy.

[0031] By constructing in this manner, the display character string isset for each operation command in accompaniment with the menu display ofthe navigation. Then, the operation command whose number of times of theoperation is the larger is changed to the higher or lower hierarchy andat the same time, the display character string thereof is displayed.Therefore, it is possible for the user to grasp the content of theoperation command appropriately in correspondence with the hierarchythereof and to even more easily select the operation command.

[0032] In another aspect of the first navigation system of the presentinvention, the menu information is described by a format correspondingto a hyper text.

[0033] According to this aspect, at the time of the navigation, the menuinformation used for the menu display is corresponding to the hypertext. Thus, it is possible to easily customize the menu displayespecially in the menu display using both of a main menu and a largenumber of sub menus, so that the operability of the navigation can beeven more improved.

[0034] The above object of the present invention can be also achieved bya second navigation system provided with: a present position detectingdevice for detecting a present position; a navigation device forperforming a navigation in correspondence with the detected presentposition on the basis of map data; a menu information memory for storinga plurality of menu information corresponding to a plurality ofdifferent menus; a menu selection device adapted to select a desirablemenu information from among the plurality of menu information; and amenu controlling device for controlling a menu display of the navigationby using the selected desirable menu information.

[0035] According to the second navigation system of the presentinvention, there are prepared a plurality of menu information in thenavigation system, and the user's favorable menu information among themcan be selectively menu-displayed by virtue of the menu selectiondevice. Thus, the user can use the menu information optimum for theuser's usage condition of the navigation, so that the operability of thenavigation can be even more improved.

[0036] In one aspect of the second navigation system of the presentinvention, the menu selection device displays a menu selection screenincluding titles of the plurality of menu information stored in the menuinformation memory.

[0037] According to this aspect, since the title of each menu isdisplayed on the menu selection screen, it is easy for the user toperform the menu selection.

[0038] In another aspect of the second navigation system of the presentinvention, the plurality of menu information include menu informationcapable of being updated.

[0039] According to this aspect, when the user wants to update the menuinformation, it is possible to customize the menu display by using themenu information constructed by himself or herself. Thus, it is possibleto perform the menu display suitable for the user's usage condition ofthe navigation, and it is possible to realize the navigation superior inthe operability.

[0040] In this aspect, a layout of a menu in the menu informationcapable of being updated may be capable of being updated.

[0041] By constructing in this manner, since the layout in the menu canbe changed at the time of updating the menu information, it is possibleto perform the menu display in a layout, which can be easily used by theuser.

[0042] Alternatively in this aspect, a character string of a menu in themenu information capable of being updated may be capable of beingupdated.

[0043] By constructing in this manner, since the character stringdisplayed in the menu can be changed at the time of updating the menuinformation, it is possible to perform the menu display in a message,which can be easily understood by the user.

[0044] In another aspect of the second navigation system of the presentinvention, the plurality of menu information include menu informationcorresponding to a menu whose theme is a specific event.

[0045] According to this aspect, since the menu information, whose themeis a specific event such as an exhibition, a fair, a country festival orthe like, is used at the time of the menu display of the navigation, itis possible for the user to obtain a beneficial information when goingto a venue of the event.

[0046] In this aspect, the menu whose theme is the specific event mayinclude an item related to a facility of an event place.

[0047] By constructing in this manner, at the time of the menu displayof the navigation, it is possible to display the usage condition of afacility within or in the vicinity of the venue of the event (e.g., acar park, a restaurant or the like), so that the user can obtain thebeneficial information by a simple menu operation.

[0048] The nature, utility, and further features of this invention willbe more clearly apparent from the following detailed description withrespect to preferred embodiments of the invention when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings briefly described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of anavigation system as an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a usage manner in case ofperforming a menu process in the navigation system of the embodiment;

[0051]FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a menu process at the time ofstarting a navigation in the embodiment;

[0052]FIG. 4 is a plan view of an example of a menu select screen in theembodiment;

[0053]FIG. 5 is a plan view of an example of a menu screen in case thata default menu is selected in the embodiment;

[0054]FIG. 6 is an plan view of an example of a first menu screen incase that a user menu is selected in the embodiment;

[0055]FIG. 7 is a plan view of an example of a second menu screen incase that a user menu is selected in the embodiment;

[0056]FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a menu process after starting thenavigation in the embodiment;

[0057]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an updating process for menu data inthe embodiment; and

[0058]FIG. 10 is a plan view of an example of a menu screen in case thatthe updating process is applied to the default menu data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0059] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explainedbelow with reference to the drawings.

[0060]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of anavigation system as the embodiment. The navigation system shown in FIG.1 is provided with a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a DVD-ROM drive 14, ahard disc 15, a sensor unit 16, a GPS receiver 17, an interface 18, aninput device 19, a display device 20, a display controller 21, a buffermemory 22, an audio process circuit 23, a speaker 24, a wirelesscommunication device 25 and a memory card interface 26.

[0061] In FIG. 1, the CPU 11 controls the entire operation of thenavigation system. The CPU 11 is connected through an inner bus 10 tothe respective constitutional elements of the navigation system. The CPU11 reads a control program stored in the ROM 12 through the inner bus10. The CPU 11 carries out the control program while transiently storingdata, which is currently being processed, into the RAM 13. The CPU 11functions as one example of a menu controlling device as well as a menuselecting device of the present invention.

[0062] The DVD-ROM drive 14 contains a DVD-ROM 1 for storing the mapdata, and carries out an operation of reading the map data. The DVD-ROM1 is a record medium having a large storage capacity, such as 4.7Gigabytes in case of the one-surface one layer type and 8.5 Gigabytes incase of the one-surface two-layer type. Pits corresponding to the recorddata are formed on the DVD-ROM 1. The record data is read by using anoptical pickup of the DVD-ROM drive 14.

[0063] The DVD-ROM 1 stores therein the map data including roadsituation data necessary for a navigation operation. Moreover, variousrelated data, such as related facility data, name data and the like arestored while they are correlated with the road situation data. In thisembodiment, the entire map is divided into blocks, as meshed unit areas.The map data corresponding to each block is managed as each “block mapdata”. A plurality of block map data are recorded in the DVD-ROM 1.

[0064] In the DVD-ROM 1, map data including road shape data necessaryfor the navigation operation are stored, and various relation data suchas facility data, name data or the like related to the map data are alsostored in correlation with the road shape data. For example, the wholemap is divided into blocks as unit areas in a mesh like manner, and amap file is assigned to each block, so that the whole map datacomprising a large number of map files are stored in the DVD-ROM 1.

[0065] The hard disc 15 is a non-volatile type memory for reading andwriting the various data such as the map data and the like. The harddisc 15 can be used for many purposes, and can store therein the variousdata such as music data, video data, an application program and thelike.

[0066] In the hard disc 15, there may be prepared an area where the menuinformation required for the menu display for the navigation isreserved. The menu information may include various menu data requiredfor the menu display, operation history data at the time of the menuoperations. As the kinds or categories of the menu data, there are twokinds i.e., (i) default menu data set in advance as described later, and(ii) user menu data, which can be freely composed and used by the user.The menu data will be described later in detail.

[0067] The sensor unit 16 is provided with various sensors required todetect a self-car position. Actually, it contains a car speed sensor, atravel distance sensor and an azimuth sensor to detect a travelsituation of the car and the like.

[0068] The GPS receiver 17 receives an electric wave from a GPS (GlobalPositioning System) satellite, and outputs measurement data. The sensorunit 16 and the GPS receiver 17 function as one example of a self-carposition detector, in cooperation with the CPU 11.

[0069] The interface 18 carries out an interface operation between (i)the sensor unit 16 and the GPS receiver 17 and (ii) the CPU 11. The CPU11 obtains the self-car position data, on the basis of the measurementdata from the GPS receiver 17 and sensor outputs from the sensor unit16. This self-car position data is correlated with the above-mentionedmap data by the CPU 11, and is corrected by using a map matching processand the like.

[0070] The input device 19 is constructed as various keys or variousbuttons to perform desirable operations respectively in the navigationoperation are arranged. The input device 19 is disposed on a main bodyof the navigation system or an external remote controller. When one ofthose various keys or buttons is pressed, a detection signalcorresponding to the pressed key or button is sent to the CPU 11. Theinput device 19 functions as one example of an operation device of thepresent invention, through which the user can select the function infront of the menu display for the navigation operation. Incidentally,the input device 19 may be composed of a touch panel attached on thedisplay device 20.

[0071] The display device 20 is used for the navigation operation, andit is composed of, for example, a CRT, a liquid crystal display or thelike. The map data is displayed on the display device 20, in variousmanners under a control of the display controller 21. The self-carposition is displayed as a car mark overlapping with the map data.Further, a predetermined menu display screen is displayed on the displaydevice 20 when the above mentioned menu display is performed at the timeof the navigation.

[0072] The display controller 21 generates the display data to bedisplayed on the display device 20. While transiently storing thedisplay data into the buffer memory 22, the display controller 21 readsthe display data from the buffer memory 22 at a proper timing, andoutputs and displays it on the display device 20.

[0073] The audio process circuit 23 generates a predetermined audiosignal under the control of the CPU 11. The audio signal amplified to aproper level by the audio process circuit 23 is outputted as a soundfrom the speaker 24 to an external portion. As such an audio signal, forexample, there is a guidance voice to guide a route for the car.

[0074] The wireless communication device 25 transmits and receivesvarious data required for the navigation by means of a wirelesscommunication. As the wireless communication device 25, a wirelesscommunication unit may be built-in, or an interface to which an externalportable telephone is connected may be equipped.

[0075] The memory card interface 26 performs an interface operation withrespect to a memory card 2, in which various data required for thenavigation is recorded, and functions as a reading device for readingdata recorded in the memory card 2. In the present embodiment, the usercan utilize the memory card 2 in order to record the user menu data orthe like into it. By inserting the memory card 2 into a card slot (notillustrated) of the memory card interface 26, it is possible to inputand output the required data between the memory card 2 and the CPU 11.

[0076] Next, the usage manner in case of performing the menu process ofthe navigation system for a car is explained with reference to FIG. 2.In FIG. 2, both of (i) a first usage manner that the menu process isperformed by inserting the memory card 2 in which the required menu datais recorded into the memory card interface 26, and (ii) a second usagemanner that the menu process is performed by obtaining the menu datathrough a wireless communication served in advance on the internet andthen using it, are shown.

[0077] In FIG. 2, the first usage manner is to record the user menudata, which the user constructs, into the memory card 2. Namely, theuser constructs his or her desirable user menu data by using apredetermined application soft ware at a user terminal 3, and stores itinto the memory card 2. When this memory card 2 is set into the memorycard interface 26 of the car, the later described menu process can beperformed as the user menu data recorded in the memory card 2 is readout during the execution of the navigation, after that.

[0078] In FIG. 2, the second usage manner is such that a large number ofavailable user menu data are prepared in advance at a center terminal 5on the internet 4. In the navigation system, the wireless communicationis performed between the wireless communication device 25 and a wirelessstation 6 connected to the internet 4, and the desirable user menu canbe obtained from the center terminal 5. The user menu data once obtainedfrom the center terminal 5 can be read as the occasion demands in thecar, by storing it in the hard disc 15 for example, during the executionof the navigation.

[0079] Next, the menu process in the navigation operation will beexplained with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 11. Hereinbelow, although acase is explained in which the navigation is executed by using thememory card 2 in which the menu information is recorded is explained, itis possible to apply the present embodiment to a case in which the menuinformation is obtained through the wireless communication device 25 orthe menu information is recorded in the hard disc 15 in advance.

[0080]FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a menu process at the time ofstarting the navigation in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3,it is assumed that the navigation is started by a predeterminedoperation as an initial condition (step S0). At this time, it is alsoassumed that the memory card 2 in which the desirable user menu data isrecorded is inserted in the card slot of the memory card interface 26.

[0081] At first, it is judged whether or not the setting is to give thepriority to the user menu (step S1). Namely, in the navigation system ofthe present embodiment, the setting is to give the priority to eitherone of the default menu and the user menu as the menu display, inaccordance with the user operation. As a result of the judgment at thestep S1, if the setting is to give the priority to the user menu (stepS1: YES), the operational flow proceeds to a step S2. If the setting isnot to give the priority to the user menu (step S1: NO), the operationalflow proceeds to a step S8 so as to read the default menu data (stepS8).

[0082] At the step S2, the memory card 2 is accessed through the memorycard interface 26, so as to search for the user menu data, from amongthe menu information (step S2). For example, the user menu data isdistinguished by giving a predetermined additional code to each filename, with respect to the file corresponding to the user menu data. Inthe present embodiment, since it is possible for the user to constructthe desirable user menu data in advance and reserve it in the memorycard 2, the presence or absence of the user menu data is checked bysearching the memory card 2 inserted in the card slot at the step S2.

[0083] Then, it is judged whether or not the user menu data is found onthe basis of the searching result at the step S2 (step S3). As a result,if the user menu data is found (step S3: YES), the operational flowproceeds to a step S4. If the user menu data is not found (step S3: NO),the operational flow proceeds to the step S8.

[0084] Then, at the step S4, the menu selection screen at the time ofthe navigation initial operation is displayed on the display device 20,including the user menu data found at the step S3 (step S4). The usercan refer to the menu selection screen, and operates to select his orher desirable menu from among the displayed plurality of menus. As theselectable menus in the present embodiment, there are two kinds of menusi.e., (i) the user menu which can be customized by the user and (ii) thedefault menu to which a predetermined function is fixed in advance.

[0085]FIG. 4 shows a concrete example of a menu selection screen at thestep S4. As shown in FIG. 4, the character string indicating three menusin total i.e., two user menus and one default menu (which are the titlesof the menus respectively) are displayed on the left side of the screen,and the character string informing as such is displayed on the rightside of the screen. In FIG. 4, such a condition is indicated that thecursor is positioned on the user menu “TOKYO CAR NAVIGATION SHOW '99”among those three menus. In this condition, if a predetermined decidingoperation is performed by the input device 19 for example, the displayscreen is switched to the display screen of the user menu at the lowerhierarchy as described later.

[0086] In FIG. 4, the user menu “TOKYO CAR NAVIGATION SHOW '99” is amenu, whose theme is a specific event (e.g., fair, festival in a countryside or the like), and which can be updated. The user menu “MY MENU” isa menu, which can be updated. The “DEFAULT MENU” is a menu, which isfixed in advance.

[0087] Then, at the step S5, it is judged whether the user menu or thedefault menu is selected from among the menus displayed by the menuselection screen at the step S4. As a result, if the user menu isselected (step S5: YES), the operational flow proceeds to a step S6. Ifthe default menu is selected (step S5: NO), the operational flowproceeds to the step S8.

[0088] The steps S6 and S7 are steps in case that the user menu isselected. At the step S6, the memory card 2 is accessed and thepredetermined user menu data is read in. This user menu data istransferred through the memory card interface 26 to the RAM 13, and istemporarily stored in the RAM 13. If the user menu data is also storedin the hard disc 15, the user menu data is read from the hard disc 15,and is transferred to the RAM 13.

[0089] Then, at the step S7, the user menu data, which has been read inat the step S6, is analyzed so as to generate the display screen for themenu. Here, in the present embodiment, the data format by which eachmenu data is described is supposed to be the XML (eXtensible MarkupLanguage). The XML is a meta language describing a logical structure ofthe data by using a description tag which can be individually defined.Thus, in the navigation system, the description tag is defined inadvance to each element constituting the menu, so that the user menudata and the default menu data are described in accordance with thedescription tag. Also, the menu data in the present embodiment has aformat corresponding to the hyper text by virtue of the XML, so that itis possible to freely move between the unit data in the differenthierarchies.

[0090] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, three XML files correspondingto the three kinds of menu data exist in the memory card 2, the harddisc lo or the ROM 12 in the navigation system.

[0091] In this manner, at the step S7, the description tag of the XMLincluded in the user menu data is judged, and the analysis to extractthe data corresponding to the respective tag is performed. Then, it ispossible to construct the display data for the menu on the basis of theresult of the analysis at the step S7.

[0092] On the other hand, the steps S8 and S9 are steps in case that thedefault menu is selected. At the step S8, the hard disc 15 is accessedand the default menu data stored therein in advance is read out. Then,at the step S9, the default menu data read at the step S8 is analyzed inthe same manner as the step S7, so that the judgment of the descriptiontag corresponding to the XML and the data extraction are performed tothereby construct the display data for menu.

[0093] Then, at a step S10 following the step S7 or S9, by moving to thelower hierarchy of the menu selection screen on the basis of the resultof the analysis of each menu data, a predetermined menu screen isdisplayed on the displaying device 20. By this, the user can refer tothe menu screen and can execute the necessary function.

[0094]FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 are concrete examples of the respective menuscreens at the step S10. FIG. 5 shows the menu screen in case that thedefault menu is selected. Each of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 shows the menuscreen in case that the user menu is selected.

[0095] In the example of the default menu of FIG. 5, a plurality ofoperation items, which are to be executed at the time of the navigation,are displayed on the left side of the screen. More concretely, it ispossible to select a desirable function from among: “DESTINATION”, “LOOKFOR PLACE”, “ROUTE UNDER GUIDANCE” and “VICS INFORMATION” as the itemsrelated to various functions of the navigation; “INTERNET” to connect tothe internet through the wireless communication device 25; “OTHEROPERATIONS” to move to the further lower hierarchy of the menu screen ofFIG. 5; and “RETURN” to return to the menu selection screen of FIG. 4.In FIG. 5, the cursor is positioned on the “DESTINATION” among theplurality of items, so that the plurality of operation items in thelower hierarchy thereof are displayed at the right side of the screen.

[0096] On the other hand, one portion of the operation item iscustomized while the default menu of FIG. 5 is used as the base thereof.Namely, in FIG. 6, the character string of “ROUTE UNDER GUIDANCE” ischanged to “HERE TO HOME”, the character string of “VICS INFORMATION” ischanged to “ROAD INFORMATION”, the character string of “INTERNET” ischanged to “CONNECT TO “ANYWHERE-NET””, in the menu respectively, ascompared with FIG. 5. In this manner, the operation items can becustomized in line with the user's usage manner of the navigation, andthe menu including the optimum operation item or items can beconstructed. Thus, it is possible to improve the convenience for theuser. The customizing operation of the user menu may be performed as theuser directly changes the XML on the edit screen, which is notillustrated or as the XML is automatically changed on the basis of theuser's operation history.

[0097] In the user menu of FIG. 7, the operation items are customized incorrespondence with “TOKYO CAR NAVIGATION SHOW '99” as one example of aspecific theme such as an event, a festival or the like. The user menudata, which is customized with using the event etc., as the theme, maybe taken in to the navigation system through the internet 4. Forexample, the menu data (XML file) customized exclusive for variousevents may be reserved on a server connected to the internet 4, the usermay access the server through the internet 4, and the menu data of theevent to which the user is attending from now may be down-loaded to thenavigation system.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 7, various guidance titles related to (i) thefacilities in or near the event place such as a restaurant, a car park,or the like and (ii) the event etc., is displayed on the left side ofthe screen. In FIG. 7, the cursor is positioned on “CAR PARK GUIDANCE”among the plurality of items, and the detailed information related tothe car park is displayed on the right side of the screen. If thepositional information of the event place or the like (e.g., thelongitude and latitude co-ordinations of the event place, the car parkor the like) is assembled in the menu data, it is possible to set theeven place, the near car park or the like as the destination, on themenu, without newly searching for the destination. By using the menudata which can be updated as the menu data shown in FIG. 7, it ispossible to provide the menu of the navigation system flexibly inresponse to the specific event. By this, the user of the navigationsystem can easily obtain the menu data corresponding to the eventthrough the internet 4 for example, so that the user can check the routeto the event place or the guidance information without performing atroublesome menu operation.

[0099] As the detailed information related to the car park in FIG. 7,information which can be obtained from the VICS (Vehicle InformationCommunication System), the ITS (Intelligent Transport System) or thelike in the real time manner, e.g., the degree of traffic jam, thenumber of cars in the car park, the parking fee and so forth, may bedisplayed.

[0100] In FIG. 3 again, at the step S11, the user's desirable process,which is selected through the input device 19 by the user with referenceto the menu screen at the step S10, is performed. For example, variousprocesses such as a process of moving to the upper or lower hierarchy ofthe menu screen as described before, a process of drawing a map on thedisplay device 20, a process of searching a route, a process ofconnecting to the internet and so on are performed as the occasiondemand.

[0101] Then, at the step S12, it is judged whether the navigation whichis currently being executed is to be ended or to be continued inaccordance with the user's operation. As a result, if the navigation isto be continued (step S12: NO), the operation flow returns to the stepS11. If the navigation is to be ended (step S12: YES), the processes inFIG. 2 are ended.

[0102] Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a menu process after thenavigation is started. In the present embodiment, it is possible toautomatically generate the desirable user menu data in the navigationsystem, in addition to or instead of reserving the desirable user menudata in the memory card 2 or the like, as mentioned above. Here, a casein which the user menu data is automatically generated on the basis ofthe operation history of the user is explained.

[0103] In FIG. 8, it is assumed that the navigation operation is alreadystarted. At this time, it is judged whether or not a predeterminedoperation for the navigation is performed by the input device 19. Forexample, it may be judged whether or not any kind of operation isselected in accordance with the menu selection screen of FIG. 4 or therespective menu screens shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7. As a result of thejudgment at the step S21, if the predetermined operation for thenavigation is performed (step S21: YES), the operation flow proceeds toa step S22. If the operation is not performed (step S21: NO), themonitoring is continued.

[0104] At the step S22, the operation history data in the hard disc 15is updated in accordance with the operation result at the step S21. Asthe operation history data, the function (i.e., the operation command)selected on the menu screen by the user is sequentially recorded, andthe operation command corresponding to the operation performed at thestep S21 is newly added to the operation history data.

[0105] Then, at a step S23, it is judged whether or not the menuautomatic generation is set. Namely, whether or not the menu automaticgeneration is to be performed is set to the predetermined flag inadvance, and then, this flag is referred to at the step S23. Forexample, the menu automatic generation may be performed in case that theoperation has been performed for a predetermined number of times sincethe menu automatic generation has been executed at a previous time.Alternatively, the menu automatic generation may be selectively startedby the setting of the user.

[0106] As a result of the judgment at the step S23, if the menuautomatic generation is set (step S23: YES), the operation flow proceedsto a step S24. If the menu automatic generation is not set (step S23:NO), the processes on and after the step S21 are repeated.

[0107] At the step S24, the operation frequency list is generated byaccumulating and listing the number of times of the operations for eachkind of operation command, on the basis of the operation history dataupdated at the step S22. This operation frequency list is reserved in apredetermined area of the hard disc 15, and is used to judge thecorrelation between the operation command and the number of times of theoperation.

[0108] Then, at a step S25, the updating process is performed withrespect to the menu data stored in the hard disc 15. Here, the updatingprocess for the menu data at the step S25 is explained in detail withreference to FIG. 9.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 9, at a step S31, the operation frequency of thepredetermined operation command included in the operation frequency listis checked. For this purpose, the above mentioned operation frequencylist is referred to, and the number of times of the operation of thecorresponding operation command is judged.

[0110] Then, at a step S32, it is judged whether or not the operationfrequency as for the operation command exceeds a threshold value set inadvance. More concretely, by setting a threshold value to 20 times forexample, whether or not the number of times of the operation exceeds 20times may be the judgment standard. As a result of the judgment at thestep S32, if the operation frequency exceeds the threshold value (stepS32: YES), the operation flow proceeds to a step S33. If the operationfrequency does not exceed the threshold value (step S32: NO), theoperational flow proceeds to a step S35.

[0111] The process at the steps S33 and S34 is an actual updatingprocess corresponding to the type of the operation command. At first, atthe step S33, the hierarchy of the operation command positioned at aspecific hierarchy in the menu data is changed. Namely, the operationcommand, which is frequently used, may be raised to the one-higherhierarchy. On the other hand, the operation command, which is notfrequently used, may be dropped to the one-lower hierarchy. In thismanner, the hierarchy structure of the menu data is changed to the upperand the lower.

[0112] At the step S34, the display character string i.e., the displayedtext, which corresponds to the operation command in the menu data, iscorrected. This is the process in case that it is more appropriate tocorrect the text on the displayed screen as a result of the change ofthe hierarchy of the operation command at the step S33. Therefore, ifthe display character string in the different hierarchy is moreappropriate, the process at the step S34 is omitted.

[0113] Next, at the step S35, it is judged whether or not the processesfor all the operation commands included in the operation frequency listare finished. As a result, if the processes for all the commands arefinished (step S35: YES), the operation flow proceeds to a step S36. Ifthe processes for all the commands are not finished (step S35: NO), theoperation flow turns to the step S31.

[0114] At the step S36, the new menu data, in which the respectivecorrected operation commands are unified in response to the processes atthe steps S31 to S35, is generated. Then, when the step S35 is ended,the operation flow returns to the step S26 in FIG. 8.

[0115] Here, a concrete example of the updating process at the steps S33and S34 is explained with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows theexample in case that the above mentioned updating process is appliedwith regard to the default menu data corresponding to the menu screen ofFIG. 5. When comparing FIG. 10 with FIG. 5, “HOME” positioned at thelower hierarchy of “DESTINATION” in FIG. 5 is raised to one higherhierarchy in FIG. 10, and “SET DESTINATION TO HOME” and the displaycharacter string are corrected. Also, “INTERNET” in FIG. 5 is notdisplayed in FIG. 10, and is appended as one item (not illustrated inFIG. 10) of “OTHER OPERATIONS” at one lower hierarchy. Since theoperation frequency of “HOME” in “DESTINATION” is the larger and theoperation frequency of “INTERNET” is the smaller, the menu datacorresponding to FIG. 10 is automatically generated.

[0116] Next, in FIG. 8 again, at the step S26, whether or not the menuupdating is to be actually performed by the menu data, which isautomatically generated, is inquired of the user by means of apredetermined message. Namely, in consideration with such a case thatthe user does not desire the usage of the automatically generated menudata, it is confirmed at the step S26.

[0117] Then, at a step S27, it is judged whether or not the user hasselected to perform the menu updating in response to the inquiry at thestep S26, on the basis of the predetermined operation of the inputdevice. As a result of that, if the menu updating is to be performed(step S27: YES), the operation flow proceeds to a step S28. If the menuupdating is not to be performed (step S27: NO), the operation flowreturns to the step S21.

[0118] At the step S28, the setting is done such that the new menu data,which has been automatically updated, is used in the navigationoperation from now on. Then, the new menu data is maintained in the harddisc 15 until the menu data is updated at the next occasion. When theprocess at the step S28 is ended, the operation flow returns to the stepS21, and the same processes are repeated.

[0119] According to the navigation system of the present embodiment,when the menu display for the navigation is performed, the user canconstruct the user menu data in accordance with the XML format and thenutilize it. Thus, it is possible to customize the menu display as theoccasion demand. Further, since it is possible to automatically changethe menu data with reflecting the user's operation history, it ispossible to always perform the menu display suitable to the usagemanner. In this manner, it is possible to realize the navigation whichis highly operative and efficient for the user.

[0120] In addition, in the above embodiment, although the case in whichthe menu data corresponding to the XML format is used is explained, thepresent invention is not limited to this. It is possible to apply thepresent invention to various formats, each being adapted to perform themenu display.

[0121] Further, as the navigation system of the present embodiment, itis not limited to the individual navigation apparatus, but it ispossible to realize the navigation system by combining the navigationapparatus with the personal computer. In this case, as the software toperform the transferring process of the present invention is executed inthe personal computer, it is possible to realize the function of theabove mentioned embodiment.

[0122] In the above described embodiment, the navigation system isequipped in a car. However, the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, the navigation system of the present invention may beequipped in a movable body other than a car, or may be equipped in aportable electronic equipment such as a portable telephone, a mobilecomputer, a lap top computer or the like, which can be used fornavigating a person who is walking. In other ward, the movable body asthe target for the navigation operation may be a person using such aportable electronic equipment.

[0123] As mentioned above, according to the present embodiment, sincethe menu display of the navigation system is controlled by using themenu information, which can be updated, it is possible to realize thenavigation convenient for the user by performing the menu displaysuitable for the user's usage manner.

[0124] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

[0125] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent ApplicationNo.2000-032696 filed on Feb. 3, 2000 including the specification,claims, drawings and summary is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A navigation system comprising: a presentposition detecting device for detecting a present position; a navigationdevice for performing a navigation in correspondence with the detectedpresent position on the basis of map data; and a menu controlling devicefor controlling a menu display of the navigation by using menuinformation capable of being updated.
 2. A navigation system accordingto claim 1 , wherein said menu controlling device controls the menudisplay of the navigation by using another menu information set andfixed in advance, in addition to the menu information capable of beingupdated.
 3. A navigation system according to claim 2 , wherein saidnavigation system further comprises a menu selection device adapted toselect one of the menu information, which is set and fixed in advance,and the menu information capable of being updated, as the menuinformation to be used for the menu display.
 4. A navigation systemaccording to claim 3 , wherein said menu selection device is adapted toselect one of a plurality of menu information each capable of beingupdated, as the menu information to be used for the menu display.
 5. Anavigation system according to claim 1 , wherein said navigation systemfurther comprises a reading device, to which an external record mediumrecorded with the menu information capable of being updated is set, forreading the menu information from the external record medium.
 6. Anavigation system according to claim 1 , wherein said navigation systemfurther comprises a wireless communication device for receiving the menuinformation capable of being updated from an external portion.
 7. Anavigation system according to claim 6 , wherein the menu informationcapable of being updated is reserved on an internet, and said wirelesscommunication device receives the menu information capable of beingupdated by connecting to the internet.
 8. A navigation system accordingto claim 1 , wherein said navigation system further comprises anoperation device adapted to issue an operation command of the navigationin accordance with the menu display.
 9. A navigation system according toclaim 8 , wherein said navigation system further comprises an operationhistory memory for storing an operation history of said operationdevice, and said menu controlling device controls the menu display onthe basis of the operation history.
 10. A navigation system according toclaim 9 , wherein the menu information has such a data structure thatthe operation command is assigned to respective one of a plurality ofhierarchies of the menu display, and said menu controlling devicechanges an hierarchy of the operation command on the basis of theoperation history.
 11. A navigation system according to claim 10 ,wherein said menu controlling device judges the number of times ofoperations for each operation command on the basis of the operationhistory, changes the operation command for which the number of times ofthe operation is larger to a higher hierarchy and changes the operationcommand for which the number of times of the operation is smaller to alower hierarchy.
 12. A navigation system according to claim 11 , whereinsaid menu controlling device sets a display character stringaccompanying the menu display with respect to each operation command,and changes the display character string when changing the operationcommand to the higher or lower hierarchy.
 13. A navigation systemaccording to claim 1 , wherein the menu information is described by aformat corresponding to a hyper text.
 14. A navigation systemcomprising: a present position detecting device for detecting a presentposition; a navigation device for performing a navigation incorrespondence with the detected present position on the basis of mapdata; a menu information memory for storing a plurality of menuinformation corresponding to a plurality of different menus; a menuselection device adapted to select a desirable menu information fromamong the plurality of menu information; and a menu controlling devicefor controlling a menu display of the navigation by using the selecteddesirable menu information.
 15. A navigation system according to claim14 , wherein said menu selection device displays a menu selection screenincluding titles of the plurality of menu information stored in saidmenu information memory.
 16. A navigation system according to claim 14 ,wherein the plurality of menu information include menu informationcapable of being updated.
 17. A navigation system according to claim 16, wherein a layout of a menu in the menu information capable of beingupdated is capable of being updated.
 18. A navigation system accordingto claim 16 , wherein a character string of a menu in the menuinformation capable of being updated is capable of being updated.
 19. Anavigation system according to claim 14 , wherein the plurality of menuinformation include menu information corresponding to a menu whose themeis a specific event.
 20. A navigation system according to claim 19 ,wherein the menu whose theme is the specific event includes an itemrelated to a facility of an event place.